Lotus F1 Team 2013

[stefan_]

Heikki Kovalainen to Drive for Lotus F1 Team

Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen [32] will join Lotus F1 Team for the final two races of the 2013 season as a stand-in for regular race driver Kimi Räikkönen, who is currently undergoing back surgery



Heikki – a veteran of 109 Grand Prix starts – has previously driven for Renault F1 Team, McLaren, and Caterham F1 Team. Over the course of his six seasons in Formula 1 to date, Heikki has scored 105 World Championship points. He has qualified on the front row five times, taken one pole position at the 2008 British Grand Prix, achieved two fastest laps and finished on the podium four times; including victory at the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Prior to racing for Lotus F1 Team in its former guise of Renault F1 Team in 2007, Heikki performed various test duties for the squad between 2004 – 2006. He completed his seat fitting at Enstone on Wednesday 13th November, before proceeding directly to Austin to join up with the race team.

Eric Boullier, Team Principal, Lotus F1 Team
“Obviously we had to move quickly following the news of Kimi’s non-participation in the final two races of this season, and we found ourselves facing a difficult decision in terms of who should take the wheel in Austin and São Paulo. On the one hand we had our reserve driver Davide Valsecchi – who is a talented young driver that has shown a great deal of promise – and on the other we had the opportunity to bring in a seasoned Formula 1 competitor in Heikki. Whilst we have every faith in Davide’s abilities, we are obviously involved in a tight Constructors’ Championship battle, so it was decided that the experience Heikki could bring to the team would be invaluable as we aim to finish the year in the best position possible. We must thank Tony Fernandes and Caterham F1 Team for their professional conduct in allowing Heikki to join us for the final races of this season.”

Heikki Kovalainen, Race Driver, Lotus F1 Team
“It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for the final two races of 2013. We’ve seen this year that the E21 is a car which can win races and finish on the podium, so I will be pushing hard for the best results possible. Jumping into a car so late in the year when you have not been competing in the races all season will be a challenge, but I know the team at Enstone well so I have no concerns about getting up to speed. This is a great opportunity for me, so I would like to thank Tony Fernandes and Caterham F1 Team for allowing me to take advantage of it.”

via Lotus F1™ Team

[Jonnycraig]

Shame to see such an average driver being given yet another chance.

[Richard]

Yes, he's unlikely to rocket up to the front but the drivers able to do that weren't available.

He's got more racing hours under his belt than any other available driver so less likely to make silly mistakes.

He's also worked with a top level team so know what his how to slot straight into Lotus.

[turbof1]

Since Hulkenberg wasn't available, indeed the best solution.

It is hard to come by drivers who are sidelined yet have enough experience and drove a f1 car extensively and recently. I do hope the addition of extra testing days next year aid in that aspect.

[stefan_]

Lotus made a very good choice. Nobody is expecting stellar performances from him in these two races, but he is a driver who is more likely to bring the car back home in one piece and eventually with some points aboard, which is very important in the fight for 3rd.

[iotar__]

Since Hulkenberg wasn't available, indeed the best solution.

It is hard to come by drivers who are sidelined yet have enough experience and drove a f1 car extensively and recently. I do hope the addition of extra testing days next year aid in that aspect.

Not according to Lotus, he was not. They apparently asked Schumacher before him, it says it all about mentality, what were they thinking, was it publicity stunt? If so not a good one after rejection and Hulkenberg failure.

And since when Kova is Mr Reliability?

[turbof1]

Since Hulkenberg wasn't available, indeed the best solution.

It is hard to come by drivers who are sidelined yet have enough experience and drove a f1 car extensively and recently. I do hope the addition of extra testing days next year aid in that aspect.

Not according to Lotus, he was not. They apparently asked Schumacher before him, it says it all about mentality, what were they thinking, was it publicity stunt? If so not a good one after rejection and Hulkenberg failure.

And since when Kova is Mr Reliability?

Yeah I picked that up too. Schumacher wouldn't be my choice. Nothing against him, a living legend, but certainly not a living currently racing one.

Kova isn't a bad driver. Sure, he had his moments, made errors, but considering your limited time and options, Lotus could have done a lot worse.

[marcush.]

according to Schumachers management Lotus was not the first team to offer Michael a drive this year.
Looking at Rosbergs fate against Hamilton i´d say most people just did not realise how good Nico actually is..there is not much if any between Nico and Lewis over this first year ,right?
so I have no issues with lotus asking him first -the guy certainly would open sponsorship opportunities for these two races something nobody else- non american- would be able to generate for these two races.

To me itis more of a mystery just why Hulk did not grab the opportunity -would he be obliged to drive after receiving his open salary?

[turbof1]

according to Schumachers management Lotus was not the first team to offer Michael a drive this year.
Looking at Rosbergs fate against Hamilton i´d say most people just did not realise how good Nico actually is..there is not much if any between Nico and Lewis over this first year ,right?
so I have no issues with lotus asking him first -the guy certainly would open sponsorship opportunities for these two races something nobody else- non american- would be able to generate for these two races.

To me itis more of a mystery just why Hulk did not grab the opportunity -would he be obliged to drive after receiving his open salary?

His explanation is that he didn't want to take the risk. He didn't believe in beating Grosjean in those 2 races and just wants to have an outlook on next year. I can understand that: it's always a risk to do such thing mid season.

[stefan_]

Heikki gets its first taste of the E21...


...and the Lotus gear.

[Manoah2u]

it takes a fin to replace a fin. the only fin at lotus i've seen without sunglasses on, tho

good to see heikki having a drive, tho. don't think he was that good, but he sure wasn't bad either.
can't wait to see what he's able to pull out during qualy from that lotus.

[Moxie]

I hope he gets paid.

[Kiril Varbanov]

More engineers out of Lotus:
https://twitter.com/hlawiczka/status/401234672606134272

[stefan_]

So that's why lately they were hiring in that area.

[Gerhardsa]

its still such a shame he doesnt have a permanent drive.
Heiki is better than half the chops on the grip anyhow. But then again, thats just my opinion of the situation